Blind adventurer and motivational speaker,
Hein Wagner, will be taking part in his first Woolworths Charity Triathlon on
Saturday, 16 November at Paul Cluver Wine Estate. In its 5th year of running,
race organisers hope to raise R5 million to donate to charities across South
Africa.

Wagner will be riding to raise the profile
of the Vision Trust and challenge the perceptions over the perceived incapacity
of people without sight. Says Wagner: “Woolworths will be making a donation
towards the Vision Trust, an organisation dedicated to removing perceived
barriers of entry to blind people and promoting the integration of disabled
persons into the workplace and sports arena.”

Riding with triathlon partner Gerrie
Olivier, with whom he also completed the Absa Cape Epic, Wagner is looking
forward to making reasonable time and enjoying a beautiful day from the back of
a tandem bicycle.

Caters for all athletes

The Woolworth Charity Triathlon caters for
both novices and professional athletes, offering both long distance (800 m
swim; 21 km cycle; 10 km run) and short distance (400 m swim; 12 km cycle; 5 km
run) races. To the question whether he feels apprehensive about the race,
Wagner answered: “I have no idea how
challenging the race is going to be. Sometimes it’s better not to know what
you’re letting yourself in for!” Wagner will be competing in the long distance
race. “I’m always ready for the long run!”

After presenting a keynote presentation to
Woolworths, Wagner was invited and challenged to participate in the race.
“Despite the fact that I’m always up for a challenge, this race will be my
first off-road triathlon. Cross training is ideal to maintain general fitness.
After completing the Absa Cape Epic in 2011, I’m pretty much bike race ready
all the time, but I’m a little concerned about the swim.”

The Woolworth Charity Triathlon will serve
to help Wagner prepare for the Coronation Double Century later in November as
well as the Antarctica Marathon (March 2014), considered his toughest challenge to date, .

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